I like this tree. It has great movement and wild, wonderful deadwood that runs all the way up the trunk, plays peekaboo in the crown and then finishes with a flourish at the top. If you removed the hanging branch that reaches down almost to the base of the trunk, it would still be an interesting tree (even though the remaining crown would be an inverted bowl)… but with that branch and the aforementioned deadwood, the tree is elevated to bonsai masterpiece. If you don’t believe me, you can check out Takahashi Iura’s facebook page, where it says: “My important bonsai masterpiece has been accepted into kokufu!!!” I’m guessing there might be a problem with the translation, but still, his enthusiasm is certainly warranted.
Kokufu-ten. One thing leads to another. As long as we’re doing Kokufu (the world’s most famous bonsai show) I thought I’d fish around and see what comes up. In this case we got lucky when I came across some great 2013 Kokufu photos (and highly informative text) on Phoenix Bonsai (BTW Phoenix Bonsai happens to be one of the best sources of bonsai information you’ll find anywhere).
Whoa! This magnificent Chinese quince (Pseudocydonia sinensis) was a prize winner at the 2013 Kokufu-ten. There’s so much you could say about this tree, but we’ll just leave it at ‘magnificent.’ This photo and the two photos below, are from Phoenix Bonsai.
Whoa again! This Kokufu prize winner is a Japanese white pine (Pinus parviflora).
Japanese black pine (Pinus thumbergii). A great Japanese white pine deserves a great Japanese Black pine, and this Kokufu prize winner certainly qualifies.
Speaking of Japanese pines. Our Masters’ Series Pine book is on sale at Stone Lantern for only 19.95. Even better, you can purchase it and our Masters’ Series Juniper book together for only 36.00.
“Whoa!” is just about right on that quince. Hardly ever see them with such shape and ramification. Howsomever, I am a little surprised to see a tag hanging from a branch on a tree displayed in the Kokufuten. That’s a little sloppy.
That “little sloppy” tag is a mark of great honor. That tree is a bonsai treasure of Japan and that is how you know it. All the trees designated as treasures in Japan have that little tag hanging from them.
Really the little tag is of no real importance; we are just looking at the magnifiance and composition of this award winning tree- a little tag?
regards Rod
would be more interesting if there ‘s every year winner bonsai photo, so we can see how bonsai been develop.from 2000-2013 thank you.
Hi Boonsong,
I think if you search Kokufu bonsai, you might find what you are looking for. Or at least some leads…